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Welcome….

Cub Scout Recruitment

…a Pack’s Keys to Success!

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Planning your Pack’s Recruitment Getting all families involved Getting the word out (advertising) Keys to a successful Recruitment event The importance of Follow up & Summer

Activities

Overview of Tonight’s Training

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Why Recruitment is Key Mission & Vision To give every boy the opportunity to experience the

benefits of Cub Scouts Gaining youth is the best reward

Providing Scouting opportunities is like being a millionaire

New families keeps the Pack program strong for years to come

New Boys = New families = New LEADERS

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Preparing for Recruitment

Discuss Recruitment at Pack Committee / Parent Meeting

Select or assign a Recruitment Coordinator Set a join Scouting date Include in Pack schedule 1-2 nights for a “Join

Night” Should be in April-May and September-October Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings are best

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Getting the word out - 4 proven methods

Flyers, Posters, Banners, Yard Signs “Boy Talks” with stickers (most effective!)

Peer-to-Peer (word of mouth) Special Events & Activities

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Flyers: Send home 1-2 weeks prior to Join Night and the week of the join night***Order at least 1 week prior to distribution*** Order enough for 1/2 the number of students in 1st-5th grade X the number

of distributions

Banners: Hang Banners at Schools, churches, homes, any where you are

allowed Some cities prohibit banners on fences Banners can be modified, painted, customized to your pack

Posters Hang in various local organizations (Just ASK!)

Flyers & Banners

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Material SamplesFlyer:

Sticker:

Postcard

“Recruitment Material Order Form”

Order Flyers to be distributed at least two weeks prior to your recruitment

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BOY TALKS-How To’s When scheduling the join night, ask the principal for some time to talk to the

boys a day before to remind them of the meeting 3 ways to address the boys:

Classroom Visits - the best method (AKA –walk throughs) 10 minutes per room - visit in Uniform & bring props (Derby Car,

birdhouse, etc.) Short energetic plug for Scouting highlighting Archery, Camping,

PWD. Give every boy a sticker to wear home with meeting information Have them repeat back the meeting information

Assembly Similar to classroom - but can be a little longer

Lunch Table or recess Quick talk at each table, handing stickers as you go Bring props to show & get their attention

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Peer to Peer Recruiting

Encourage boys to invite their friends Recruiter patches can be purchased by the pack for

achievement recognition

Have incentives / contest for participation Use postcards for boys to hand to their friends Encourage parents to contact parents of boys

that are not currently in Cub Scouts (call, email, face to face at church, sports, etc.)

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Special Events & Activities

•Scout O Rama – The CARNIVAL of Scouting•Get everyone in your Pack to go•Get everyone to bring a friend

•Day Camp

•Sponsor a special event:•Pinewood Derby•Bicycle Rodeo

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Table at Back to School Night or Open House Have display with pictures, slideshow, photo albums of Pack Activities Sign in sheet for interested families & hand out a Pack information

sheet Hand out book marks and post card with Join Night information

Posters, Banners & Yard Signs (order from BSA or encourage boys to make their own) - display at school for at least a week prior to the Join Night

Media: Article in School and/or local newspaper, PTA Newsletter Section about Cub Scouts on School website

Websites (PTA or Pack website visit http://webmasters.ocbsa.org )

Other Methods

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Time Lines March-Make Plans

Set “join Scouting” date - open house night, a pack meeting, a special activity such as a barbeque or egg hunt

Order your pack recruitment materials April-Get the Ball Rolling

Talk to principal Coordinate walk Throughs by designating pack volunteers for walk throughs in uniform

(Contact your DE if you need help) Pick up recruitment materials

Hang banners Distribute Flyers Do Walk Thoughs

  Suggestion: Have boys wear their uniforms to school on the day of your pack ‘join scouting meeting’

Attend your School’s open house night (host a table, have a cub scout activity demonstration)

o      Have scouts there to personally invite his friends or other boys to scouting meeting

o      Have a scouting demonstration. Older Scout’s are a great role model for this and troops may want to assist also (See you pack’s commissioner or DE)

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1 day prior: Confirm room with school - talk to custodian if necessary Confirm help of other leaders/parents

Roles should include: Greeter, Helpers with Den organization, Activity coordinator for the boys

1/2 hour prior: Set up the room - tables should be arranged by grade (den) Den roster on each table with pens Set up display table with pictures at entrance

The Join Night Getting ready …

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Welcome families as they arrive, distribute information packet and reference the materials inside (applications, parent guide, Bobcat book)

Opening - formal flag ceremony & introductions Have something fun for the boys to do. If your join night is the same

night as your pack meeting-have parents break out to a different area.

Review purpose of meeting: Cub Scouts overview: structure, activities, family role & time commitment To register boys and parents and collect fees To organize dens and select helpers & leaders

The Join NightStart the show!

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(After the opening, introductions & purpose of the meeting):

Briefly explain the structure & a few activities so the boys see how they fit in

Send boys out for an organized activity Explain to parents the following (keep it brief):

Time commitment & activities (highlight the fun & character development)

Role of the parent & leadership opportunities Cost of registering (aim to collect only the BSA fees with the application

tonight & ask for Pack dues at the next meeting) Uniform - requirements & where to purchase

The Join NightThe show is on the road …

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Answer general questions Give 5-10 minutes for Dens to talk amongst each other

- recruit den leaders as needed or have existing den leaders give specifics on their den

Re-group to introduce any new leaders Announce next meeting (ideally a

new parent “Fast Start” orientation in a week)

COLLECT APPLICATIONS & FEES Strongly encourage them to turn application in that

night (less follow up for you)

The Join Night The final act …

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Turn all applications in to BSA immediately Contact your District Executive to arrange pick up

Send a welcoming email or phone call to all families in attendance with-in 2 days - remind of next meeting

Follow up with families who attended but did not sign up Encourage new leaders & parents to attend training Promote Summer activities, Scout O Rama and Day

Camp

Follow Up